North Little Rock teams off to a strong start

Both boys and girls teams are having their typical successful nonconference season.

Coach Darryl Fimple’s girls are appreciably better. Fimple has a group that can play just about any style depending on the matchup.

With three girls that are more than six feet tall, the Lady Charging Wildcats can play big, and compete in a slow down half court set.

The Lady Cats also have a plethora of guards with experience and athletic ability, and can run the floor against teams that want to play full court.

If there is a preference, Fimple would rather run the floor, but his team still has to rebound and do better getting loose balls and winning the hustle plays.

The Lady Charging Wildcats were an eyelash away from playing in the 7A state championship game in what was largely considered an off year last season.

Fimple has a better team this year.

The boys are picking up where they left off last year, even if the majority of a state championship team is gone due to graduation.

North Little Rock has been winning in blowouts and with one exception, has found ways to win close game.

The emergence of Anton Beard from Little Rock Parkview is a key component to the Cats’ success. Beard will play in Fayetteville next season.

The 7A/6A-East is a bit more competitive this season. Jonesboro is as good this year as they were last and will be the Charging Wildcats’ main threat to a league title. The Canes are the 6A runner up from last season.

West Memphis is better as is Marion and Searcy.

The proof of North Little Rock’s mettle will come in the second week in January. That’s when they travel to West Memphis before hosting Jonesboro three days later.

That’s the week many will get to see how good the Charging Wildcats and the rest of the 7A/6A-East really is.

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